War hits local roads

Concern over fallout of rising oil prices

Concerns have been expressed that the war in the Middle East will impact on local road works.

Having already expressed frustration over the amount of funding lost to inflation, members of Tipperary Co Council fear rising oil prices will further hinder the council’s ability to deal with worsening road conditions.

Cllr Michael O’Meara told last week’s meeting of the council that he is “very concerned” about the local impact of the international situation. He feared rising oil costs would lead to less road works, and said the council would have to make another case for increased funding from central government. “We are in unprecedented territory,” Cllr O’Meara pointed out.

Cllr Fiona Bonfield spoke of badly deteriorating roads around her area of Newport that are not on any works programme, and now have even less prospect of getting on one. “I’m seriously worried about our road network,” she said.

Cllr Phyll Bugler was similarly concerned for upland areas around Ballina, where a “massive amount of money” would be required to fix the potholes that have emerged. But she feared that the price of tar, bitumen and diesel would increase due to the war in the Middle East.

‘DIRE SITUATION’

Cllr Jim Ryan agreed that the council is facing a “dire situation” where road maintenance is concerned. He criticised the reduced maintenance allocation received this year and wanted Tipperary’s Oireachtas members to attend a meeting of the council over the situation.

Director of Services Liam Brett described the 2026 allocations to the council as “very much a mixed bag”. While there were increases under some headings, other allocations were either static or decreased. Much of the council’s spending power would be lost to inflation, while an additional €750,000 would have to be found to meet the spike in oil prices seen over the recent weeks.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Carroll said he would endeavour to contact the Minister for Transport about the situation in Tipperary. He pointed to the size of the county and said the local authority is not receiving the requisite funding to deal with the local road network. Cllr Carroll said a “blitz” is needed of roads serving communities in isolated rural areas that have been particularly badly impacted by the weather of the last five months.

Senior Executive Officer Ger Walsh said the council is due to meet with Tipperary’s Oireachtas members again next month. The roads issue is always on the agenda and the new concerns would be relayed, he said.